When friends, acquaintances, and coworkers discover how much I enjoy backpacking I am often asked my opinion on specific gear. The question usually comes as "what is the best water filter, stove, backpack, etc.". I sometimes feel that the question is unfair, and very similar to asking someone, "what is the best car?". As you can imagine, if there was only one best car, everybody would be driving the same vehicle.
Over the course of many discussions I have come to the conclusion that my best response is to ask another question of my own. "What is your budget?". Then I can narrow into some items in their budget and maybe add a little knowledge of the pro's and con's of the items.
There is not a perfect stove, nor a perfect water filter. You must make decisions based on your use patterns and budget. Remember, a higher price does not necessarily indicate a better item.
My current bests (subject to change)
Best upright canister stove: Optimus Crux
Best inverted canister stove: Optimus Vega
Best stove system: MSR Reactor
Best liquid fuel stove (boil only): MSR WhisperLite
Best commercial alcohol stove: Evernew DX2 set with 900 ml pot
Best alcohol stove set (ignoring weight): Trangia 25 ULHA
Best personal water filter: Sawyer Squeeze
Best gravity water filter: Platypus Gravity Works 4L
Best pump filter: MSR Miniworks EX (Guardian would probably hold this place, if the price point was not beyond reason)
Best universal stove (canister or liquid): Optimus Polaris
Best tent: Hilleberg
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